Updated: November 7, 2016
Originally Published: November 7, 2016
As a child, I was always tuned into politics, eagerly watching election results late into the night, grasping at the meaning behind the outcomes in a world where my only responsibility was to obey my parents. I felt like a passenger in a car too expansive to fully understand, moving at a speed I couldn’t quite grasp.
But times have changed. My mother is no longer around to guide my opinions. I’m now married, a father, and juggling bills and responsibilities. As a grown man with a little one to think about—my son Max is pulling the levers of my decision-making—this election day feels like the most consequential moment of my life.
However, I know I am not alone. The priorities for my family may differ from those of our neighbors, our communities, or even our nation. To get a better sense of how other families are feeling during this pivotal moment, I reached out to various LGBTQ dads to see if they felt the weight of this election pressing down on them as I did.
Voices from the Community
Take the case of Mike and Ian Carter, a couple who have been together for over ten years and are proud dads to two adorable daughters. Living in New Hampshire, they are registered voters who have made sacrifices to uphold the freedoms we cherish. Ian expressed that they are voting for Hillary, stating, “Hillary is a role model for our daughters. She’s a warrior who has faced challenges from all corners yet remains steadfast and strong.”
For Mike and Ian, the Obama years brought unprecedented progress for families like theirs. Mike noted, “We believe Hillary is the only candidate who will protect the strides the LGBTQ community has made over the past eight years.”
Next, I spoke with single dad Oliver Green from California and his 14-year-old daughter, Emily. Oliver knows hard work. He navigated the adoption process tirelessly to become a father, and he admires Hillary’s dedication to children and families. “She’s always been a champion for child health,” he said, highlighting her role in advancing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
When asked about other candidates, Oliver remarked, “I want them to recognize that American families are more diverse than ever, and this diversity should be celebrated as a strength, not a weakness.”
Then there’s Mark and Leo, registered voters from New York, who are parents to two grown children. Having known each other for nearly two decades, they celebrated their marriage last year in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality. Mark, who has supported Hillary since her First Lady days, commented, “We’ve worked hard to gain equality, and I want to ensure we don’t lose ground. We need to move forward, not backward.”
This sentiment echoed throughout my discussions. Many families feel a deep gratitude for the progress achieved over the last eight years and are concerned about what losing those gains would mean.
David Smith, a proud gay dad from California, shared, “We cannot allow America to revert to old ways. The last eight years of progress must be preserved for the sake of future generations. Choose wisely.”
For Ben and Chris, a married couple from Maryland, the stakes are personal. They’re raising their son, Alex, and Ben emphasized, “The Democratic Party is openly supportive of the LGBTQ community, which is crucial for our family’s future.”
Then we have newlyweds Ryan and Alex, who are gearing up to vote for the first time together. Ryan shared their hopes of starting a family, facing unique challenges as a binational couple. “Our future as dads is influenced by this election,” he said. “We support Hillary not just because she’s not Trump, but because she’s qualified, empathetic, and genuinely cares about lifting those in need.”
Lastly, there’s Taylor and Jordan from North Carolina, who have been together since my birth year. They recently celebrated their 29th anniversary and cast their votes early. Taylor noted, “Hillary has evolved, just as many of us have. She listens and has the country’s best interests at heart. We need a leader who will carry us into the future.”
As I reflect on the stories shared by these families, it’s clear that we’ve fought hard to build our lives, and there’s no room for complacency. Families like ours, who have struggled for recognition and rights, know that there are forces out there that would strip us of our hard-won protections.
It’s painful to see division, especially when some neighbors proudly flaunt divisive messages. Yet, I believe it’s our duty to help others understand our shared humanity—the laughter of children, the heartaches of family life, and the dreams we all hold dear.
Our role as fathers is to nurture our children and protect their futures. And as we approach the polls tomorrow, there’s only one candidate who stands ready to champion our families and safeguard our dreams. We’re with her. We’re with Hillary Clinton.